Apply to McNair

Eligibility

A participant must meet the following requirements before becoming a McNair Scholar:

• Quarter and Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completed at least 60 units (Transfers Exempt)
• US citizen or permanent resident
• Intention to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation
• Low income as defined by the US Department of Education and a first generation college student (where neither parent completed a 4-year degree)

Program Requirements and Expectations

All McNair participants are required to commit in writing to all program requirements and expectations. For a complete list, please contact us. Some requirements and expectations include:

• Participation in the UCSB Summer Research Program
• Attendance at weekly and/or bi-weekly seminars
• Completion of a one year academic research project
• Presentation of research at a national conference and at the UCSB undergraduate symposium
• Preparation for the GRE general examination
• Completion of a doctoral degree within ten (10) years of attaining a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara

Application Materials Required

To apply to the UCSB McNair Scholars Program you will need to obtain or produce the following:

• Three short statements (approximately 300-400 words each)  You can view the statements here.
• Unofficial transcripts from UCSB and any community college you may have attended. Please email transcripts to mcnair@mcnair.ucsb.edu.
• FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) - obtained from https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Please email FSS to mcnair@mcnair.ucsb.edu.

Recruitment Begins Fall 2025

We are seeking applications from continuing Juniors and Sophomores.

• Continuing Sophomores with expected graduation date of Spring/Summer 2028
• Continuing Juniors with expected graduate date of Spring/Summer 2027.

Application

The Application Portal is now open and will close on February 15th.